With its focus on personal development, mentorship and team spirit, sport offers an ideal platform for community building. This year, The Winnipeg Foundation partnered with the True Sport Foundation on a pilot project that supported summer sports programs in the Central Park neighbourhood.
The inner-city area was selected not only because of the socio-economic barriers its residents face, but for its assets: a newly refurbished park, a vibrant community of newcomers, and a strong network of charitable organizations. Foundation staff worked closely with residents and agencies to develop the granting program and select projects for support – all of which were proposed, planned and carried out by local community members.
Organized sports included basketball, soccer, and baseball, as well as Wiggle, Giggle and Munch, an early literacy and physical activity program for children. In addition to developing local leaders, encouraging volunteerism, and bringing cultural groups together, the initiative had important tangible outcomes. Wiggle, Giggle and Munch continues through the winter; the basketball league has plans to expand (some rising stars have been selected for elite teams) and hundreds of newcomer boys – prime targets for gang recruitment – have built self-esteem, personal resilience and a sense of belonging. Visit our Facebook photo album for photos from the program.
Sam Unrau came to his first meeting in The Winnipeg Foundation’s boardroom as a Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) student representing Argyle Alternative High School. Fast forward just a few years and he’s a regular at that board table, the youngest-ever member of the Foundation’s Grants Committee. At 21, Unrau brings a wealth of non-profit knowledge to the role. Not only is he a seasoned grantmaker through YiP, he’s an experienced board member, tireless volunteer and community advocate.
For the past four years, Unrau has served on the board of Ten Ten Sinclair Housing, which provides independent living and support services for people with disabilities. He’s also a member of the City of Winnipeg’s Access Advisory Committee, where he sits on the Policy Sub-Committee. An avid sledge hockey player who loves to introduce others to the sport, Unrau is Vice-Chair of Sledge Hockey Manitoba’s advisory committee and is part of Para-Sport Manitoba, an initiative to support athletes with disabilities and involve more people in paralympic sport.
On top of all that, Unrau is working toward a degree in Business Administration from the University of Winnipeg. He already has a stellar résumé supporting his future.
At its previous address, Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) – which works with Winnipeg’s street-entrenched and homeless youth – didn’t have the capacity to provide its clients with regular, nutritious meals. Youth often relied on scavenging from garbage in the alley behind the organization to meet basic nutrition needs.
After a move to a larger location on Sherbrook Street, the dumpster days are gone. Now, the organization provides hot meals to approximately 30 youth every weekday. RaY also offers hands-on cooking workshops that help young people living in poverty learn how to prepare healthy meals on a tight budget and use ingredients available at food banks. The cooking program was one of 14 local nutrition initiatives to receive support from the Nourishing Potential Fund’s first round of grants in June 2011.
The goal of the Nourishing Potential Fund is to grow a $5 million endowment over the next five years, through contributions by people from all walks of life. It will support nutrition initiatives at after-school, drop-in and summer programs at local community organizations, with a goal to help children and youth access the nutritious food they require to thrive.
The Winnipeg Foundation’s Nourishing Potential Advisory Committee recently approved the second round of Nourishing Potential grants. This round of projects includes cooking lessons, menu planning workshops, appliances, meals, snacks and more. Grant recipients and amounts will be announced at a news event December 2. Find out more about Nourishing Potential, including how you can help grow the fund, by visiting our website.
The Winnipeg Foundation’s Grants Committee recently approved more than $1.5 million in grants to a broad range of local charities. Our grants team works with grant applicants, researches all requests, and provides thoughtful recommendations to aid the committee in its decision-making.
In the coming weeks, each of our three grants coordinators will share the story of a specific grant from the recent round of approvals that resonated with them. This week, Marie talks about Moe the Mouse: a literacy program that does more than just promote language. The Foundation made a $30,000 grant towards continued support of this program.
This week we interviewed Jillian Ramsay, the Programs Director at Graffiti Art Programming (GAP) about GAP’s experience with our Youth in Philanthropy students over the years.
What is Graffiti Art Programming and what is your role there?
Graffiti Art Programming (aka Graffiti Gallery or GAP) is a not for profit youth art centre dedicated to the creation of a safe and accepting environment for all forms of artistic expression. GAP uses art as a tool for community development, social change, and individual growth. Some of its year round programming includes The Graffiti Gallery, st.ART Studios, the Mural Division and The Urban Canvas Program (UCP).
As the Programs Director, I oversee the four components of programming mentioned above, from securing funding to ensuring participants are engaged in the best experiences possible. A great deal of my work involves connecting with international organizations who mandate the promotion of youth and urban culture as an tool for social change.
How has the Youth in Philanthropy Program helped you at GAP?
The Youth in Philanthropy program has awarded financial resources for supplies and equipment, but more importantly, it has exposed groups of youth to GAP who are now acting as advocates for our organization. The power of youth voices in promoting social programs and spaces in our city is especially valuable for our organization, as this is the community that we serve.
Do you have an example of something specific you were able to do because of a YiP grant?
Our recent YiP grant provided us with equipment dollars for our video and photography programming. The youth working on film projects gain computer skills and are able to create art films, documentaries, and even stop-animation shorts. The process of working on these films incorporates visioning, teamwork building, and of course, all the benefits of sharing their projects with peers and community.
Why is it important for young people to help young people?
When young people are given the opportunity to volunteer at organizations, or to simply visit and learn about them, they gain enhanced empathy for others and greater understanding of inequity. Having the opportunity to participate in dialogue about different experiences promotes passion and commitment to making positive change. This concept is essential to the YiP program as well as Graffiti Art Programming’s Youth Advisory Committee and Leadership Programs.
Do you have anything else to add?
GAP is constantly interviewing and incorporating new volunteers into our programs. People of all ages are welcome to apply to GAP’s Volunteer Program. If you, or a young person you know, are interested in volunteering or contributing at GAP, please contact info@graffitigallery.ca!
The Winnipeg Foundation
1350 - One Lombard Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0X3 Canada
ph: (204) 944-9474 | fx: (204) 942-2987
tf: (877) 974-3631 (outside Winnipeg)
email:
How To Find Us
